There are of different reasons one might find oneself single beyond the age of thirty. It could be that you have simply never made the time to seek out the right person, or maybe you spent the better part of your twenties chasing after the one you thought was the one. Divorce is a big reason many people are finding themselves single again in their thirties, which can make it even worse. Not only are you getting over a heartbreaking ordeal, now you are expected to start dating after being part of a couple for so long? It's really no wonder why so many people have a hard time getting "back out there".

Being single is difficult enough the first time around. Being single again after being in a relationship for a long time is even more difficult. When you add those two factors and throw in the basic difficulties of dating after the age of thirty you probably won't want to leave your house. Once you pinpoint the things about dating that you find worrisome, you can face them head on and before you know it you'll be enjoying yourself with someone special.

For the post-thirty demographic, dating has its share of challenges. For one thing, the number of single people starts to dwindle as you get older and your options appear to get fewer and farther between. If you happen to have come out of a marriage with a couple of kids in your wagon, it adds another layer of complication. You want to find someone that could potentially love your children as much as you do but it is difficult to find. One positive part about dating at this age is that your peers are much more likely to have kids too. You always want to find someone that shares your interests--your most important ones!

Chances are pretty good that dating is much different now than it was the last time you were single. Simply the advances in technology that have been made in the last five to ten years have opened up a world of possibilities for dating. You don't have to go out on blind dates fixed up by your friends if you don't want to. There is something to be said for finding your own dates, and that may include joining an internet dating sight or two. Speed dating is a pretty popular trend, but it isn't for everyone.

If you are looking for more conventional ways to meet people, don't worry, those still exist too. Throw a party and ask your friends--single or married--to bring a few single friends and extend the invites a little beyond the people you know directly. You will tend to be much more comfortable on your own turf and being the host or hostess gives you an automatic conversation. It would be rude not to greet every attractive member of the opposite sex, wouldn't it? If hosting isn't your forte, join a book club, wine tasting group, volunteer organization or whatever piques your interests. You end up having a good time whether you meet anyone or not.

Dating after thirty is not quite the nightmare that people might make it out to be. This is a time in your life when you know more about yourself than you did ten years ago. Take a moment to look back at the youngster you were the last time you were single. Think about how much you have grown and learned, and be glad for that knowledge. You are much more likely to pick the right partner if you first know who you are.